Post by @ewen@social.ewenbell.com

@ewen@social.ewenbell.com

2026-08-01 14:14 UTC

I really enjoyed that read Bert. I appreciate that using a computer to translate a large chunk of text is practical and far from controversial. Whether that's an AI model or another translation method, matters little to me. I used to work in medical research, and the ability to extract signal from noise is the foundation of many scientific endeavours. Some computer tools were useful for this, but AI systems are more suited to the task. Using AI to predict which epitope is more likely to be antigenic is helping laboratories develop ebola vaccines in record time. But this usage is not what the industry is focused on. When they talk of AI's future they are thinking Generative AI and replacing people jobs. I don't they are honest about how much they have sold the technology on reducing company payrolls. So there is a reality check to be paid sometime soon perhaps. I stopped watching or reading the news or other media over a decade ago. It was driven by clickbait and not good for my mental health. So I have to laugh at many of the media claims regarding AI. It's annoying, because there are legitimate uses for such technology, but not so much for the bubble.

Replies (1)

@ewen@social.ewenbell.com 2026-08-01 14:26

My more recent career is in the creative arts. I'm not too worried about AI replacing me, rather I am worried it will topple many of my clients who were foolish enough to think the technology is ready. A lot of innocent people will suffer when the markets take a hit. We're also seeing an alarming increase in AI generated posters for cafes and restaurants, as if the key ingredient to standing out in a busy market is to ensure your signage looks the same as everyone elses! I get emails every day from marketing people that are obviously written by an AI. It creates additional and unpaid work for me despite choosing to opt out of the bubble. But these marketing folks are literally spending money to damage their own brand and that of their clients. Some will be quicker to see the problem than others. Some will not recognise the problem even after the doors have shuttered. I cannot predict the future of course, but I doubt any predictions of immense leisure time for all humans will become a reality. If AI really does work, then all the gains will go to those holding the wealth, not those holding the keyboard.

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